Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health, especially among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Our mission is to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

Applications are hereby invited from interested and suitably qualified candidates to fill the Director, Finance and Operation Vacancy at Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

MSH seeks candidates for the position of Director of Finance and Operations for an anticipated multi-million dollar USAID 5- year health project in Northern Nigeria.

The project will focus on support for service delivery in six interventions areas: family planning, malaria, routine immunization, nutrition, maternal/newborn health, and treatment of pneumonia/diarrhea.

This position is subject to project award and funding. International allowances are available.

The Director, Finance and Operations is a member of the project’s senior management team and oversees the overall financial and project operational functions under the supervision of the Chief of Party.

The Director, Finance and Operations safeguards the assets (financial and physical) of MSH or other donors against fraud, loss or misuse.

S/he ensures that any money expended in the field is done in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, MSH Policy, and any cost principles imposed by MSH or a donor agency.

S/he must demonstrate the ability to use sound business judgment in assuring that all costs are reasonable and necessary for the completion of the office projects and MSH’s mission.

S/he is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of technical efforts and field activities by providing accounting, administrative, management and logistical support to facilitate the implementation of project activities.

The Director ensures that the project’s financial management, personnel, administrative and contractual operations systems are conducted according to MSH regulations, standard operating procedures and good business practices.

S/he provides management support to the technical assistance team to facilitate the implementation of program activities.

The Director coordinates with the Country Operations Management Unit (COMU) unit to ensure that the project’s operational needs (including finance, accounting, HR, IT, and procurement functions) are met, facilitating coordination and integration with other existing MSH country projects, systems, and processes.

Specific Responsibilities

As a member of the project’s senior management team, participate in all meetings with USAID, host government, local partners, and other organizations as needed as well as internal joint operations and shared program discussions.

Coordinate with the Country Operations Management Unit (COMU) unit to ensure that the project’s operational needs (including finance, accounting, HR, IT, and procurement functions) are met. Ensure coordination and integration with other existing MSH country projects, systems, and processes.

Manage cash flow, including funds transfers from MSH Home Office, local currency exchange, and petty cash. Obtain authorization for and pay local costs. Reconcile the project’s bank accounts and field advance accounts each month.

Maintain project’s current standing with all mandated tax and registrations, including submission of payments and required reports.

Review all approved payments for the project’s local vendors, contractors and consultants for goods and services received, in accordance with the laws and regulations of Nigeria, and MSH and USAID regulations.

Prepare country activity travel advances and process travel claims (TEFs) and work with program staff to resolve accounting related issues.

Ensure that project staff receive logistics support in booking staff and consultants travel and accommodations, and in processing required authorizations.

Assure that all project financial transactions are recorded into an approved MSH Field Expense Accounting System, and submit timely reports each month. Verify documentation of all field financial transactions.

With the Chief of Party, lead the preparation and management of country project budgets and pipeline expenditures. Manage monitoring, analysis and reporting of actual and accrued expenditures against project budgets for accurate project pipelines, estimates of upcoming cash needs and overall efficient and effective financial management of the project.

Exercise independent discretion and judgment in continually exploring opportunities for cost-cutting, cost-sharing and rational use of the project’s resources, and advise the Chief of Party accordingly.

Apply internal systems for obtaining purchase approvals and use of assets ensuring the adequate application of internal controls.

In conjunction with the Chief of Party, oversee project hiring and HR-related functions for the project in coordination with the COMU.

Qualifications

Master’s level degree or equivalent of 10 years’ (12 years preferred) experience in financial management, with a minimum of 5 years direct international work experience in developing countries with senior-level responsibility for operations and finance managing awards of similar size.